What is a humanist or secular funeral ceremony?
A humanist or secular funeral ceremony is a celebration of life organized without prayers, sacred texts, or reference to any institutional religious tradition. It centres on the person — their values, passions, relationships, the impact they had on those around them.
The distinction between "secular" and "humanist" is subtle: a secular ceremony is simply a ceremony without religious content; a humanist ceremony more specifically reflects humanist philosophy — human dignity, reason, empathy — and is typically led by an officiant trained by a humanist organization.
Who can officiate a secular funeral in Quebec?
In Quebec, there is no legal requirement for a religious officiant at a funeral ceremony. The ceremony can be led by:
- A civil celebrant: a professional trained to conduct life ceremonies (weddings, funerals, birth celebrations) in a secular, personalized way
- An officiant from the Alliance humaniste du Québec: the organization that trains and accredits humanist officiants in Quebec
- A family member or close friend: entirely legal and often deeply meaningful — someone who knew the person well can speak about them with an authenticity no professional can fully replicate
- The funeral home itself: some funeral directors are trained to conduct secular ceremonies
Typical elements of a humanist ceremony
- A welcome: the officiant introduces the proceedings and creates an atmosphere of shared reflection
- A life biography: an account of who this person was — their journey, passions, values, relationships
- Tributes: family, friends, and colleagues share personal memories
- Readings or texts: secular poems, philosophical passages, personal letters, excerpts from beloved books
- Music: no restrictions — classical, rock, Quebec folk, or any genre
- A moment of silence or collective reflection
- A symbolic close: placing flowers, lighting candles, a gesture that marks the farewell
Personalization is unlimited
This is one of the main advantages of a secular ceremony: there is no imposed ritual, no mandatory text, no prescribed duration. You can include a pop song, projected photos, a slide show of their life, a demonstration of their art, a recipe from their favourite dish served at the reception. The ceremony can take place in a funeral home chapel, a park, a museum, a theatre — anywhere.
Can you mix religious elements into a secular ceremony?
Yes. A secular ceremony is not anti-religious. Some families choose to include a prayer for those who are believers present, a hymn that held emotional significance for the deceased, or a moment of spiritual meditation. The ceremony remains secular as long as it centres on the person rather than on a doctrinal framework.
How to pre-arrange a humanist ceremony
You can explicitly specify in your pre-arrangement contract that you want a secular or humanist ceremony. Note:
- The type of officiant desired (civil celebrant, humanist officiant, family member)
- Your preferred location
- The songs you want played
- Desired texts or readings
- People you would like to speak
These instructions will be passed to your family and the funeral home at the time of death, ensuring your ceremony is truly yours.
Cost of a civil or humanist celebrant
A professional civil or humanist celebrant typically charges between $300 and $800 for a funeral ceremony, depending on experience, ceremony complexity, and region. Some funeral homes include the celebrant's cost in their service package.
Updated: March 2026